Data from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre suggests 34.5% of critically ill Covid-19 patients have BAME backgrounds and that people from that group are more adversely affected by the virus.

This is despite just 10.8% of the population being black or Asian, according to the 2011 census.

Sabby Dhalu, co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism, said at an event last night: "The massively disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on African, Asian and Caribbean communities is a tragic and preventable disaster.

"It highlights the enormous injustices that already exist in society that were exacerbated as a result of the hostile environment.

"We need a public inquiry to investigate this issue, and an ongoing campaign to challenge injustices and demand PPE and testing for all."